What are The Common Causes of Basement Leaks?

Basements are very vulnerable to water intrusions and leaks because they are always below the ground level. Water typically flows down from higher to lower ground though loose soil and this explains why a basement suffers more water damage than any other part of a house or building. Even when a basement is properly waterproofed during construction, natural elements may cause soil to shift and increase the chances of basement waterproofing to fail. If you want more useful details, please click here.

While it is easy to blame mistakes made during construction or the age of the building for water leaks, there are often many causes of the leaks that should also be factored in during troubleshooting. According to the Construction Management Association of America, even when your basement is properly constructed, there is always a chance it will end up with water problem that a professional must fix. This website lists three of the most common causes of basement leaks that you should check when diagnosing water leaks in your basement.

Exterior Drainage
AN exterior foundation drainage line installed for groundwater to escape can fail, especially if the pipes are crushed during backfilling. Even when the drainage is properly installed, it is not uncommon for the pipe to clog up as a result of silt in the water or tree roots. The pressure resulting from the obstruction, called hydrostatic pressure, can build up against the house or building construction resulting in basement leaks.

Excavation and backfilling
Excavation is often the first step in the construction of a basement, followed by backfilling the footings of the wall. During backfilling, the soil is often looser and more permeable than the untouched ground. This means that the soil absorbs more water from the surrounding soil and when it rains. The collected water will tend to collect at the point where the soil meets the foundation wall.

Gaps in basement construction
The laws of physics dictate that pressured water will always flow along the path of least resistance. Water will seek gaps left intentionally during basement construction, emerging cracks, and other openings. When diagnosing leakages in your basement, start by following the path of the water and you might find gaps. If the openings were left intentionally for joint control such as preventing cracks on the floor, this is something your contractor should be able to fix. Learn more from us at bau-abdichten.de

The Construction Management Association of America has guidelines that can help you identify the cause of water leakages and high humidity in your basement. Before calling your contractor, be sure to visit this website to learn more on how to prevent or address water leakage problems in your basement.